finally got to wet the boat

[CreelReaper]

Managed to put the boat in early for a quick sess in and around Wello/Cleveland. On the water just after 5 to a beaut morn with 5 - 7kn sou'easter. A bit bumpy however driving into the wind but didn't take long to drop the pick.
Felt good to have a chance to wet a line before going back to work after a month's break.
Didn't manage to get too much in the way of keepers but was entertained by the usual squire (33 and 34cm), a couple of tailor (30 and 37), 2 bloody grinner and a little gentleman in a grey suit. (only just sited mid water) Heaps of pickers but just couldn't connect. Tried a few spots around the "Ledge" but couldn't find anything decent or for that matter any sweeties, which surprised me.
I was however constantly having to re-rig after many bite-offs in the last hour. Must have gone through 12 to 15 sets of 2,3 and 4 hooked rigs. Didn't seem to matter whether I was holding the rod or not there were 2 or 3 taps then if it didn't run and bite the hooks off it just bit the hooks off!!!!! Had 4 or 5 solid runs, felt weight and speed and then nothing.....Very, very frustrating .... until the last cast that is, and this little beautie comes aboard for a quick pic, hooks removed a Rex kiss NOT!! and released to pick on some poor other sole.

Only measured around 70cm but certainly made its present felt on the 10kg line. peeled off a good 30 or 40m a couple of times before I boated it.

Attachment 43140

Cheers

[TimiBoy]

Looks like fun Shane. It looked nice out there this morning, but it's blowing up now...

Cheers,

Tim

[CreelReaper]

Tim,
Yeah it was fun. The wind got up around 20 - 25kn for a short period but seemed to settle back to a solid 15. It was good to give the boat a run and iron out a few wrinkles before our planned charter outside next month. (cancelled for the umpeenth time due to the bloody wind!!!) I bet the lone hammerhead I did manage was part of a school and probably one of the smaller ones. The other short runs I had seemed to be by much bigger fish/sharks.

Shane

[jtpython]

Least you got out into and tried mate.
Little smaller then the hammer we seen 2 trips ago 15 foot............... beautiful looking fish in the water and me safely on the boat
JT

[CreelReaper]

Hey JT,
Yeah mate, they are an awesome looking fishy. friendly too. in one of the other piccies I am sure he is smiling at me.
I was amazed at how alert even out of the water it was. Sitting on the floor of the boat each time I went to grab it to get the hooks out it would turn and try to snap at me.
Glad I didn't get to play too much with his bigger brothers that were obviously swimming with him.

Cheers